Look what Aubrey made

I took Aubrey over to the Bishop and Sabine's home this evening. They were having a bunch of kids over to make graham cracker houses. So each person made their own little candy house. Aubrey had so much fun and I would have taken more pictures if I hadn't had to go back home. Jocelyn was in much need of a nap. But I did take a final result of her candy house and here it is...


{Look how proud she is! Way to go Aubrey.}


{She said that she tried to make the house look like ours with George our cat on the side. :) How cute!}

And the FINAL count down has begun!

The title of this post serves a few different meanings.

The first meaning to this post is that this semester of school is just about OVER. I can hardly wait. My final is on Wednesday and I'll be done with school for quite awhile. I know, I know. For many of you, you thought I was already done a semester or two ago but the stubborn me kept going. And I'll tell you what. I have finally come to terms with myself that school is not to be my main focus right now. My children and sanity and health are. So as it has in the past, school will sit out for a little while in my life. No harm in what I have done since moving here to Virginia. 3 classes and 3 A's. Not bad! I have a contract with them that I have 10 years to complete my bachelors degree without any degree requirement changes. I have been going to school on and off now for the past 10 years. I've got all but 2 general classes done and then all I have left is my core business classes and POOF---Graduation TIME! I'm so excited to get my degree but right now my time is going to be spent on my children as I feel it should be. Besides, John is taking a full schedule of classes himself so it hasn't been easy with us both going to school and raising a family. So after this Wednesday with my final being done and over with, I'll feel like a new woman. YES!! Now I'll get to read the countless books I've been wanting to read and most importantly, I'll have more time to play with my girls. :)


{This recent picture of Jocelyn illustrates it best on how I feel---HAPPY!!}

The second meaning to this post is that we're flying out to the lovely and very much missed NW. This is where both John and I's family reside and we can hardly wait to see everyone again! I of course went back to see everyone last April with the girls during Aubrey's spring break but now it's John's turn to see family and friends for the first time in a whole year. The long await is almost over. :) Hello Oregon/ Washington...goodbye Virginia. For now, anyways.

Santa makes an early appearance in Virginia

Friday December 7, 2007

Last Friday night was our ward's Christmas party at the church and as most functions, it was a great turn out and a lot of fun! The children had a primary program that they performed on the stage after dinner and Aubrey was one of the angels. They did a wonderful job. Afterwards, they sang Christmas songs and then a "special visitor" came to see them. They were so excited to see Santa that they all ran to get in line! We all had a really fun night.


{Aubrey and the other angels gathering around the baby Jesus in the stable---sorry so dark and fuzzy. The camera didn't agree with the lighting once again.}



{Another view of Aubrey and the angels}


{Jocelyn got brave and tried out daddy's candy cane}


{Aubrey telling Santa what she wants for Christmas. According to her she said "books, books, and more books" and he replied: "I take it you like to read?" Wow! Santa's got a sense of humor after all.}


{Us and our girls before leaving the event}

And the winner goes to...

The other team. This time anyways. John's on a basketball team on base with the guys he works with. Most nights his team plays pretty late (8pm) so last night the girls and I finally were able to drive to the base to watch a game at 6pm. The lighting in the gym didn't agree with our camera (seems to be a reaccurring problem but that's okay). I was able to take a few shots anyways. The girls really had a fun time watching daddy play on the court. Aubrey was clapping and rooting for his team (and running around on the bleachers) and everytime John was close to our end of the bleachers Jocelyn would get really excited and wave her hands around. Their game may have not been a win but they played real hard and it was still fun to go and support them. Maybe better luck next time!? :)


{John's number 12}




{You can't really see Jocelyn's face in this picture but I took this photo of her because everytime she saw her daddy close to our side of the court, she'd go crazy and grin from ear to ear. You can't tell she's a daddy's girl, can you? LOL}


{This is Jocelyn watching big sis run up and down the bleachers. GO AUBREY GO!!}

Jocelyn's first STEPS!!!

I thought this deserved it's very own posting. While at our ward's Christmas party, we were walking with Jocelyn all over the building. We've been practing with her for some time now so it's no surprise she's ready to take off on her own. And that's exactly what she did! She took 3 whole steps by herself! YAY Jocelyn!!! :) We were so proud of her. As she was holding daddy's hand back to the table to eat, she noticed a child similiar in age next to her walking without any assistance and instantly let go of daddy's hand and just stood there almost as if saying, "Okay. I can do this on my own now daddy. Thanks for all your help." We were so close to the table that she literally walked from daddy to me. We clapped and let her now how happy we were for her being so brave. My baby is growing up so quickly. It always seems like "just yesterday." This past year has flown by so fast that it's hard to believe she's a little toddler now. The next day, we went out and bought her her first pair of walking shoes to celebrate her milestone. I'm sure it won't be long before she's running. Then I'll need to go update MY shoes so I can keep up with her!! :) What a big girl she is becoming. She is so precious to me. xoxoxo


{Jocelyn holding daddy's hand to go for another walk.}


{A daddy and little daughter photo---how sweet!}


{This is where she let go of his hand to walk all by her big self.}


{YAY...3 steps all on her own. Way to go baby.}


{Jocelyn taking daddy on another walk.}


{Jocelyn's first pair of walking shoes. Thank goodness we know how to double knot or she'd never wear these. She seems to hate having her shoes and socks on most of the time. But aren't they so cute?!}

Reminder

FIRST, SCROLL DOWN & MUTE OUR MUSIC & THEN TURN ON YOUR VOLUME TO HEAR THE VIDEO! I found this video on my friend Amber's family site and thought it was a much needed reminder to pass on. I think it's a reminder that we all need to have especially during this Christmas season to know how much we need to be thankful for and appreciate, support, and love those close to us however close and far away they are. I am so thankful for all the men and women stationed here or overseas...for all their hard work and protection! May we all remember them, love them, and keep them and their families in our prayers.

John's Birthday

December 1, 2007

John has turned the big 27 today!! "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" The four of us hung out for most of the day and then we headed out in the evening for dinner at a hibachi grill called Sakura (click on the word Sakura to catch a sneak peak of the restaurant). First of all, this was a "surprise" birthday party for John that he was unaware of. He thought all along that it was just going to be the four of us. Little did he know that I had invited a few of his guy friends from work and their wives/ girlfriends to join us there for the celebration. He seemed to really enjoy being with his family and friends so I considered the surprise to be a hit! This was actually the first time we had gone to Sakura. They have a cook in the middle of your table at this huge grill and they cook your vegetables, meat, and rice right there in front of you. They put the grill on fire and made a lot of jokes like rolling an egg on the grill (he called this "egg roll"), tossing it in the air and flipping it with a spatula and then dropping it on the grill with a SPLAT! He then pulled the egg shell to the side to dispose of it and then said "goodbye chicken little." We had a great time. We wish we could have had all of our family and friends from back home there also but we'll see them all in just 2 MORE WEEKS!!! :) We're so excited. Thanks to all who made John's day so special for him.

John opening the gifts from the girls (sweater and basketball book).


Jocelyn was too intrigued with Daddy's jelly beans she was trying to steal that she didn't notice we put this bow up on her head. :p


Daddy and his girls


John and Leslie

Our family with John's friends and their significant others at Sakura.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, it was just the four of us sharing Thanksgiving dinner together. It was a very quiet and low key day but we had much to be thankful for. Not too much to report on our Thanksgiving other than the fact that we tried out a different recipe for our turkey and it turned out rubbery and gross! We won't make that mistake next year for sure! :) This year was by FAR better than last years...we were still in a hotel room searching for a home. So we are very thankful for all we have this year---especially thankful for family and friends!!! I managed to take a few photos of our dinner in the making despite the fact that John and I were in the kitchen for a majority of the day and juggling the two girls. We sure did enjoy it though.


Aubrey sitting out on the sidelines


Jocelyn enjoying her time at the dinner table...eye spy a green bean!


George...sleeping at his favorite spot which just happens to be a table in the living room. Trying to take a break from busy body Jocelyn for a few minutes snooze! Awww...the life of a cat.


Our turkey


Final thanksgiving dinner product: mission accomplished! We managed to make the whole meal hand-made this year (minus the rolls). It was quite the turn out (minus the turkey). :)

Jocelyn and George

Aubrey and Jocelyn have just L-O-V-E-D George being in the family. I have quite a few pictures of Jocelyn and George playing---or more so Jocelyn poking around at the kitty. :) It hasn't been intentional that Aubrey wasn't included in these. Most of the time, Aubrey was at school during the day when I caught these moments with the camera. Looking at the photos, it's hard to tell who loves who the most! He gets confused with what's his toys vs her toys but she still shares and they love to sniff eachother's noses. He has so much tolerance for a little curious child (as you can see in the photo of her putting her finger in his mouth). She has to know where he is at ALL times. LOL :)

Silly Moments By: Jocelyn

I'm behind in posting some pictures so here is a compilation of some silly moments of Jocelyn.


As you can see...


Jocelyn has gotten her hands on...


CHEETOS! And BOY does she love them. As you can see, she's wanting some more of Aubreys.


BIG SMILE!


You are SO lucky that you don't have to hear this noise as it scoots across the floor. Just as bad, maybe worse, as the sound of nails scrapping on the chalkboard. But somehow, she has found this as her creative way to walk through the kitchen.


Okay. I'm going to have to explain this look on her face as you'll see more of them as you scroll down. One evening, we were at the table eating dinner as a family and Jocelyn started to crinkle her face and make weird looks such as this one. We all laughed and I think she has kept this face to make us laugh over and over. You probably don't have to wonder where we get our source of entertainment!!






She was playing with her toys and I caught her hanging this from her mouth.




I don't know why but this face almost scares me. Maybe it's just all of those TEETH. What a silly girl!


Playing around with daddy and giggling nonstop!




Chomping on cheerios